By Erin McFeeters
Are you looking to escape the city? New Jersey has you covered with six train systems across the state with direct access to New York City. Here are highlights of the 11 towns on the Northeast Corridor NJ Transit System.
Trenton
Located along the Delaware River in Mercer County is the state capital of New Jersey, Trenton. The city is rich in history and has a multitude of historical sites such as the Old Barracks Museum, The Trent House, and the Battle Monument. The city also has a diverse restaurant scene, and the famous Trenton Pork Roll is second to none.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Trenton is $166,250 year-to-date.
Hamilton Township
Nearly 40 square miles make up the suburban Township of Hamilton, and it is located just outside of the City of Trenton. The township is known for its shopping centers, retail shops, and restaurants, such as the Hamilton Marketplace. The nationally acclaimed Grounds for Sculpture, a 42-acre sculpture park, is a popular tourist attraction and brings in 150,000 visitors annually.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Hamilton Township is $267,000 year-to-date.
Princeton
Home to the infamous Princeton University, Princeton is a lively area with a bustling downtown. There are a ton of shops and restaurants that line Nassau Street and in Palmers Square, such as The Witherspoon Grill, Lululemon, and more. Princeton also has many historical sites such as Nassau Hall, where Congress convened in the 1700s, Princeton Battlefield State Park, and the Albert Einstein House.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Princeton is $800,000 year-to-date.
West Windsor Township—Princeton Junction
West Windsor Township is nestled in between Route 130 and Route 1 and is known for preserved open space, modern office complexes, and recreation. Mercer County Park makes up nearly a quarter of the township and features paddle boating and multiple trails. If you are looking for higher-end shopping and dining, the Princeton Marketfair is also in West Windsor Township. Notable companies like Bristol Myers Squibb and Siemens have corporate campuses located in the township.
The median sales price for single-family homes in West Windsor Township is $667,250 year-to-date.
New Brunswick
Located in Middlesex County, New Brunswick is a city rich with history dating back to the Revolutionary War. In the 1700s, Rutgers University established its oldest campus in the city. Since then, much of New Brunswick has been built up and around the campus—combing the historical spots with trendy college spots. In the past 10 years, the city has seen a lot of growth—as the University flourishes so does New Brunswick.
The median sales price for single-family homes in New Brunswick City is $310,000 year-to-date.
Edison
More than 100,000 residents live in the 32-square-mile township of Edison. President George Washington is said to have traveled through the township to his inauguration in NYC in 1789, but it wasn’t put on the map until the late 1800s when Thomas Alva Edison established his research laboratory in Menlo Park. Edison invented items that led to more than 400 patents, such as the phonograph, the electric railway, and the incandescent lamp.
Today, the Edison Memorial Tower stands where the Menlo Park lab once was and is now a museum and education center. Families favor living in Edison because of the many community events the township hosts such as Family Day, Plays in the Park, and a weekly Farmers Market.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Edison Township is $434,000 year-to-date.
Metuchen
If you look at a map of Metuchen, you can understand why it’s referred to a a “doughnut hole” by outlets like The New York Times. It sits smack in the middle of Edison. Over the past several years, the borough has gone under redevelopment and revitalization. The efforts are apparent in the downtown area, as well as the surrounding community. Grand new homes have replaced some older buildings, but though the town is growing exponentially, it still retains the old small-town feel.
In downtown Metuchen, there are many different ethnic restaurants, retail shops, a theater, fitness studios, and more.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Metuchen Borough is $511,000 year-to-date.
Rahway
Once known as “The Carriage City of the World,” due to 35 carriage-related factories, Rahway is a diverse city that blends historical tradition with the modern world. When factories moved overseas, the industrial town of Rahway suffered. In recent years, Rahway has amped-up its redevelopment efforts and is now an arts hub with dance companies practicing in the streets and community events like film screenings and open mic nights hosted in the town public space.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Rahway City is $339,000 year-to-date.
Linden
Only 13 miles from Manhattan, Linden is a diverse community and an easy commute into the city. The city recognizes the rich cultural ties throughout the community and hosts numerous events throughout the year such as Polish Heritage Day, Latin Festival, Portugal National Day, and more.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Linden City is $345,000 year-to-date.
Elizabeth
As one of the largest cities in New Jersey, Elizabeth is home to more than 125,000 residents. The city is a hub on the East Coast due to its proximity to Manhattan, the Newark Liberty International Airport, and the Garden State Parkway. In recent years, the city has undergone revitalization and development efforts. It now boasts having one of the largest malls on the East Coast, The Mills at Jersey Gardens, and home to one of the best-performing Ikea stores.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Elizabeth is $308,000 year-to-date.
Newark
This large city is the last stop in New Jersey on the Northeast Corridor NJ Transit System. A key draw is the Prudential Center, the home stadium to the New Jersey Devils and recently hosted MTV’s Video Music Awards. The Newark Liberty International Airport is also a major draw with over 46 million passengers in 2019, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.
Newark is also home to the New Jersey Institute of Technology, a top 10 school for return on investment according to Best Colleges, and home to one of Rutgers campuses. The universities are within walking distance from one another and make up the University Heights section of the city.
The median sales price for single-family homes in Newark is $240,000 year-to-date.
All data is derived from NJ Realtors® Monthly Housing Market Statistics—September 2020 year-to-date.